Method for nerve detection by raman scattering spectroscopy

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of detecting nerves, including: step 1 of irradiating a sample with excitation light; step 2 of detecting Raman scattering light from the sample; step 3 of calculating an intensity ratio of a wave number within a specific range of the Raman scattering light detected in the step 2 or extracting a feature of the intensity ratio and subjecting the feature to multivariate analysis and/or statistical analysis; and step 4 of specifically displaying nerves containing unmyelinated nerves, using as an index the intensity ratio or a result from the multivariate analysis and/or the statistical analysis.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for detecting nerves containing unmyelinated nerves, the device comprising:
 excitation light irradiation means for irradiating a sample with excitation light; 
 means for detecting Raman scattering light from the sample; 
 a spectroscopic portion for dispersing the received Raman scattering light into a spectrum component of each wavelength/wave number; 
 intensity ratio calculation means for calculating an intensity ratio of a specific wavelength/specific wave number of the Raman scattering light or analyzing means for extracting a feature of the intensity ratio and subjecting the feature to multivariate analysis and/or statistical analysis; and 
 means for specifically displaying (i) nerves including myelinated nerves and unmyelinated nerves, separate from other tissue, and (ii) unmyelinated nerves, separate from myelinated nerves and other tissue, using the intensity ratio as an index. 
 
     
     
       2. The device for detecting nerves according to  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a laser light source. 
     
     
       3. The device for detecting nerves according to  claim 2 , further comprising a detector for detecting a Raman spectrum. 
     
     
       4. The device for detecting nerves according to  claim 1 , further comprising a detector for detecting a Raman spectrum. 
     
     
       5. The device for detecting nerves according to  claim 1 , wherein the intensity ratio is one of an intensity ratio between 2,855 cm −1  or a peak wave number range of around 2,855 cm −1  and 2,933 cm −1  or a peak wave number range of around 2,933 cm −1  and an intensity ratio between 2,887 cm −1  or a peak wave number range of around 2,887 cm −1  and 2,933 cm −1  or a peak wave number range of around 2,933 cm −1  . 
     
     
       6. The device for detecting nerves according to  claim 5 , wherein a combination of a numerator and a denominator of the intensity ratio is any one of the following items (i) to (iii):
 (i) when the numerator is 2,855 cm −1 , the denominator is any wave number within a wave number range of from 2,859 cm −1  to 3,024 cm −1  and 3,068 cm −1  to 3,100 cm −1 ; 
 (ii) when the numerator is 2,887 cm −1 , the denominator is any wave number within a wave number range of from 2,899 cm −1  to 3,024 cm −1 ; and 
 (iii) when the numerator is 2,933 cm −1 , the denominator is any wave number within a wave number range of from 2,813  cm   −1  to 2,912 cm −1 , 2,940 cm −1  to 3,021 cm −1 , and 3,073 cm −1  to 3,089 cm −1  . 
 
     
     
       7. The device for detecting nerves according to  claim 1 , wherein the intensity ratio is an intensity ratio between 2,855 cm −1  and 2,933 cm −1  or an intensity ratio between 2,887 cm −1  and 2,933 cm −1 .